Why has the Mexican War rarely covered in US history books ?

Question

I have been reading about the Mexican War 1846-1848, and the stories from the event are exciting and fascinating. However, I have doubts about the accounts of the war such as casualties and battles. Nevertheless, I wondered why the public has few resources about the war, and Hollywood have few movies and films about the event, i.e. One Man's Hero, Ponderosa, and North and South, Book I.

The Mexican War should be more opened to the public and Hollywood media.

Answer 1

I suspect that the Mexican-American war is little known for two reasons, one of which has already been identified by an earlier responder:
1) It's overshadowed by the Civil War which included a lot of the same participants.
2) It doesn't show the U.S. in a very flattering light. We kicked the tar out of Mexico over a tiny disputed wedge of land in Texas, then when the war was over, we decided to take vast areas of territory that are now California, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and a little piece of Wyoming.

Answer 2

A lot of people here have made some very good points. It would be impossible and completely ridiculous to attempt to teach every esoteric facet of American history in compulsory education. As was mentioned before ... you never hear about German-American or even Chinese-American contributions to United States history. Why ... because that is too specialized of a topic to cover, and, to be quite frank ... I think that kind of gross specialization could be easily abused at that level, and could be interpreted as being discriminatory to other ethnic or cultural groups omitted from study (because it is not voluntary education like college ... it is compulsory education). Part of the great thing about college is you can take such specialized history classes. I remember I took a 10 week course that specifically dealt with the 1930-1932 period in Germany ... I mean ... thats a VERY specific class. If you wanted to you could teach for months and months on even the most minute aspect of a singular event. And, in college you are learning from professors that are experts in the subject they are teaching, and offer a wealth of experience and knowledge. It is during this time your eyes will begin to open to how much history is really out there ... Then there is also the consideration ... just because you want to learn about Mexican-American history doesn't mean everyone else wants to. I have no doubt that there are numerous cultures and ethnicities represented in your community ... only one of which has Mexican heritage. There is nothing wrong with having pride in your culture and/or history, but keep in mind, there is a point where pride in your culture can turn into reverse xenophobia ... then you begin to see your own culture/history as being superior to others ... Mexico and Mexican immigrants have influenced the development of the United States, but when you have to cover such monumental topics such as the Revolutionary War, the Slave Trade, the Civil War, Manifest Destiny, Progressivism, American Colonialism, the First World War, the FDR Era, World War Two, the Cold War, Korea and Vietnam ... there really isn't much room for dilly dally ...

Answer 3

It's huge in Texas, after all, they were major instigators. For the rest, there haven't been that many residents of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada or Colorado who made movies.

Part of the reason for the war was that Mexico had outlawed slavery and the Americans who'd settled there wanted to keep and use their slaves. This actually means that the US fought the war so Americans in a foreign country could maintain slavery. This doesn't go over so well in many circles.

I've heard that the president at the time had the plan to go to war with Mexico when he was elected and then drummed up support for the declaration. No one wanted to believe an American president would do such a thing, but now, of course, we know better.

Answer 4

I totally agree it is a fascinating era, but I can tell you that as I try to finish my master thesis on a military analysis of the era from the Mexican side (I live in Mexico), there is little factual information or good books as background.

I think there is vested interest from both sides of the conflict today, specially as Mexico and the US try to understand each other in many arenas, not to stir the pot and make the war more than a passing chapter in the history of both sides.

From the US side, I feel that the agression to Mexico may be a lot harder to sell to the public as something that the USA had to do to defend itself. Under current politically correct standards, the "acquisition" of the Alta California, Nuevo Mexico and Arizona territories would be seen as a blatant annexation by a bully state. That does not mean it should be condemned under our current standards (it is a folly to judge history from our view of the world), but it could lead to revision of the idea that up until Iraq, the USA had never engaged in a preemptive war.

And from the Mexican side, many political stakeholders have an interest in maintaing the legend that "gringos stole our land" and "California would be Mexican if Santa Anna hadn't been such a corrupt coward". I guess an actual study that revises this story and acknowledges the many mistakes from the Mexican side, albeit honoring the truth (The US was the agressor, but Mexico played right into their hands by seriously underestimating the military capacity of the US and launching the first "attacks") would not be welcomed by many politicians.

As for the person that said that the war was "inconsecuental" for most US people, I recommend he reconsiders his/her words specially if he is writing in one of these states: California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, or Nevada. They were all once part of Mexico.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, the Mexican War falls between two better known conflicts, The War of 1812 and The Civil War. These longer, more bloody wars tend to overshadow the relatively quick fight in Mexico, with minor losses and fast victories. It did however, become a sort of "Proving Ground" for future Commanders of the Civil War, and gave the U.S. a chance to develop new combat tactics.

Answer 6

I highly recommend "Gods and Generals" by Jeff Sharaa. It is about the American generals that fought in the Mexican War. Many of these close friends became enemies during our War Between the States. All of his books are excellent but this one sets the stage for later events.

Answer 7

It had little or no effect on most Americans. It would be the same as a Phillipino war, or a Japanese war. Remember, Americans are very self contained. If it did not affect us directly it really does not matter. Witness this. 9/11 was hardly noticed by most people in the rural parts of America. It had no effect so the feeling was, SO WHAT.
You can go t o a Mexican Library for your resouces. I doubt Hollywood is all that interested in whatever project you are working on.

Answer 8

I would hazard the opinion that it is modern education that tends to downplay it. I was out of high school back in ..mumble mumble mumble... and I recall it being as thoroughly covered as any other incident from US history.

Answer 9

That is your opinion and you answered the question yourself.

It is U S History... try taking a class in World History

Answer 10

Look at Texas history. You will find plenty.